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The absence of Drew Brees was noticeable today. The Saints' offense was uncharacteristically sloppy.

Botched center exchanges. Sacks. Interceptions. Backup quarterbacks Luke McCown and Ryan Griffin have had better days.

This is a typical time in camp when quarterbacks' arms start to deaden. The extra reps each quarterback has received due to Brees' absence has only exacerbated the problem.

Brees' injury has left the Saints with only three healthy quarterbacks on the roster: McCown; Griffin; and rookie Logan Kilgore. To the naked eye, there wasn't a lot of zip on many passes in the two-hour practice.



For example, Corey White intercepted a Griffin floater in the right flat intended for Seantavius Jones. It was the second interception in as many days for White, whom defensive coordinator Rob Ryan again referred to as "an ascending player."

Credit White for making such an instinctive play, but Griffin's pass arrived a little too late.

If Brees' injury lingers, the Saints might have to consider signing another quarterback to reduce the reps for the three passers.

2. On Guard: The Saints' depth along the offensive line is being tested early in camp. Injuries to Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs left the Saints with a couple of unheralded starters at guard: Senio Kelemete and Marcel Jones. New Orleans native Jason Weaver also saw time at right guard with the first-team offense. Weaver and Jones have cross-trained at tackle, Kelemete at center.

3. Iron Men: I like how the Saints' top linemen square off against each other daily in pass-rush drills. Terron Armstead and Junior Galette matchup outside and Akiem Hicks and Evans (when healthy) battle inside. Galette calls it "iron sharpening iron." The competition brings out the best in each player. It's a daily highlight to see which stud can get the best of the other.

4. Two-Minute Men: The Saints worked on their two-minute offense and the usual suspects saw time in the backfield, led by Pierre Thomas and Travaris Cadet. It was interesting to see Khiry Robinson work into the rotation. Robinson wasn't part of the nickel offense last season. Mark Ingram was the only back that didn't take reps in the two-minute offense. That's not surprising since he's expected to be the main ball carrier on early downs and the Saints want to limit each back's reps.

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Rugby Saint II

Losing Drew to an olique might be a good thing. The other QB's get more film on them and the FO can make an educated assessment of each player.